Italian Grand Prix - Monza

[René]

At a time when the Scuderia needs the tifosi the most there will be noone in the grandstands in Monza. But given their abysmal current form, maybe Binotti and Co. will also feel a certain relief by not having to face the fans. Last year’s glorious win is already a distant memory.

What can we expect from the 'party mode' ban? Mercedes says it will make no difference. Red Bull and Ferrari think it will but only qualifying will really tell.

A positive from Spa was Renault’s form and maybe they can take that also here to Monza. According to Ricciardo they finally found the ’sweet spot’ with their set-up. A podium for Danny, wouldn’t that be nice?

F O R Z A F E R R A R I

[chrisb]

ah Monza, a place I would love to visit. not neccessarily for the GP but for any race really, the throne of magical history and damm fast cars, I watched the Montoya lap on youtube the other day - that was quick.


I am working on the principal 'sooner or later' so am going for Ricciardo, just out of why not - although suspect it will be another MB feast of pretend racing and even more pretend humility, what do they get out of this?

[charleselan]

With that fabulous photo does that mean we are praying for a Jean-Louis Schlesser moment . Sadly many only remember Jean-Louis for that incident, as he was a jolly fine race driver and extremely versatile.

The Ferrari's in that photo were one of my favourite cars from the marque, Gustav Brunner's hallmark all over that car being very sharp and simple looking. I did not realise until just checking him out on the internet that he is just seven days older than me.

I think that WSB and BSB will take priority this weekend for my viewing schedule, can't put up with much more of this MB dominance.

[Carl]

The entire Mercedes team is anal-retentive and mindless about the good of the sport.

Note to Herr Berger:  drivers with very long arms should keep them inside.

[charleselan]

Looks like the Williams family are on the way out, this is their last weekend running the team apparently. End of an era most certainly, but this always happens in the end with the "garagista's" as Enzo would say. Now we are left with the likes of MB smothering the sport with its dominance and huge amounts of cash.

I also have read that Sebastian Vettel has grace reservations about the sport (F1) being around in 10 years time, he ain't wrong there.

[René]

Sept 3, 2020 16:10:41 GMT charleselan said:

Looks like the Williams family are on the way out, this is their last weekend running the team apparently. End of an era most certainly, but this always happens in the end with the "garagista's" as Enzo would say. Now we are left with the likes of MB smothering the sport with its dominance and huge amounts of cash.

I also have read that Sebastian Vettel has grace reservations about the sport (F1) being around in 10 years time, he ain't wrong there.

Yes, the end of an era indeed. The Williams team as we know it will no longer exist after Monza. The name will stay but the new owners, Dorilton Capital, is an investment company. They buy other companies to sell them after a while with a profit. That's what they do and nothing else. 

Sebastian has a valid point and we can count ourselves lucky that we've seen Formula One in it's heyday.

[Carl]

I have no reason to doubt either Claire Williams' intelligence or intentions, but few children can inherit the tenacious and unwavering pursuit of victory of Sir Frank Williams.

An investment company, as Ken Tyrrell realized when the other owners swallowed ecclestone's fraudulent double-dealing, will only mean more assets stripped and relocated.

Sebastian Vettel may be right... 

[charleselan]

Unfortunately it would appear that capitalists are calling the shots in all walks of our lives at present.

Humanity is screwed until this nonsense is ended.

As René so correctly mentions above, we were indeed very lucky to have seen our sport in its great days.

[chrisb]

Rene, I do consider myself a very fortunate fellow in many many ways - less so in other ways but I have seen F1 in every decade since the 1960's until this one and hasn't that been a blessing?

with the money going into less pockets and the rich getting richer and the workers poorer sooner or later it becomes a massive problem and normally revolution follows, so I wonder if F1 will follow suit with its own implosion, as it has done previously when manufacturers pull out and all these expensive engines are no longer sustainable then what would happen,

I see MB are at the top again

I am gutted about Team Willie, but hardly surprised, this has been on the cards for the past two years, they have been getting steadily worse and less led, what the Americans will bring will be interesting, I believe their nominated MD is a former Formula Renault champion and was considered F1 material, so that may prove positive.

[Carl]

Sept 3, 2020 6:21:12 GMT chrisb said:

ah Monza, a place I would love to visit. not neccessarily for the GP but for any race really, the throne of magical history and damm fast cars, I watched the Montoya lap on youtube the other day - that was quick.

I am working on the principal 'sooner or later' so am going for Ricciardo, just out of why not - although suspect it will be another MB feast of pretend racing and even more pretend humility, what do they get out of this?

Chris,

           When I visited in 1970 and hopefully still now, Monza was a delightful small town with a great ambiance of its own.  I still remember the wonderful hotel and the small but extraordinary Pizzeria where the largest pizza I've ever seen was hefted out from a huge brick oven.  Fairly simple with a thick crust and blend of cheeses, it was absolutely wonderful.  Two pieces and I was full.  Abbondanza!

-Carl

[charleselan]

Best laugh of the day so far; Bottas claims that he surprised at the gap between the MB's and the rest in Practice 2. I see that a number of posters on some other sites are now beginning to get fed up as well, it takes a while with some to become aware of what is going on.

One good thing is the performance of young Gasly, he really has turned things around this year. Interestingly I came across some comments from dear old Citron Chops Herr Marko last evening going some way to explaining Alex Albon's difficulties. Apparently the lad has not had the same parts or up-dates that Max has been given as the Fizzy Drink team endeavour to sort out the performance of their current car. It appears that the problem they had was in the aero set up which gave false readings in the wind tunnel and only became apparent when at the track.

Maybe Adrian Newey is loosing his magic touch .

[chrisb]

this is just dreadful, the best two circuits on the calender and an embarrassment on the one hand for MB an embarrassment of riches, on the other just an embarrassment for Ferrari, I couldn't even bring myself to watch the highlights.

[robmarsh]

Sept 6, 2020 7:38:49 GMT chrisb said:

this is just dreadful, the best two circuits on the calender and an embarrassment on the one hand for MB an embarrassment of riches, on the other just an embarrassment for Ferrari, I couldn't even bring myself to watch the highlights.

Chris, the F2 and F3 races have been fantastic to watch.

[René]

FORZA FERRARI

(they need it...)

[charleselan]

I did watch the qualifying yesterday and thought that the behaviour by some drivers was truly appalling; Ocon's blocking of Kimi was an abject disgrace, but one of many.

The only highlight in what was total rubbish was Carlos Sainz performance, what has that boy done signing for Ferrari?